TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB, 刑事局) announced on Saturday (Feb. 8) that U.S. authorities arrested Johanne Liou (劉喬安), dubbed as the "queen of the Sunflower Movement" (太陽花女王), on Jan. 22 for drug-related charges and fraud. She is expected to be deported back to Taiwan by next month.
Liou entered the U.S. legally in May 2019 but overstayed her visa, which expired in August of the same year. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested her on Jan. 23 this year with assistance from the Needham Police Department. ICE emphasized that this arrest was part of a targeted enforcement action.
Liou had been on Taiwan's wanted list for several offenses before her arrest in the States, and CIB provided crucial intelligence to U.S. agencies, leading to her capture. This international cooperation aims to ensure she faces legal proceedings in Taiwan for her alleged crimes of drug offenses, fraud, and embezzlement.
Patricia Hyde, acting director of ICE's Boston field office, highlighted the importance of collaboration with local law enforcement to uphold public safety and the integrity of the immigration system. Liou's arrest reflects the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.
Liou shot to fame during her participation in the huge student-led protest of the 2014 Sunflower Movement in Taiwan and was nicknamed the Sunflower Queen. However, she was later investigated regarding a cross-border prostitution ring before fleeing the country five years ago.